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Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)
This degree is part of the Year 12 Subject Spotlight Early Offer Program
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle
Duration4 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 10 years maximum.4 years full-time.
Mode of deliveryFace to Face
Start datesSemester 1 (20 Feb 2023), Semester 2 (17 Jul 2023),
Semester 1 (20 Feb 2023), Semester 2 (17 Jul 2023),
FeesFind information about indicative course and program fees.AUD 39,060 (indicative annual fee, 2023)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
English proficiencyIELTS overall minimum - 6.0, IELTS section minimum - 6.0 Find out more about IELTS.
Program Code40371
N/A
This was the minimum selection rank for recent school leaver offers in 2022. It may change in 2023.
Entry requirements
Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools.
Study software engineering
Creative. Collaborative. Future proof. Software engineering.
When you study a Bachelor of Software Engineering at the University of Newcastle your degree will develop your capability to solve global challenges. You will develop knowledge in computer systems, programming languages, data structures, algorithms, databases, operating systems, human-computer interaction, web engineering, enterprise architecture, computer networking, computer security, and project management.
What is software engineering? Software engineers focus on analysing a client’s needs. You will learn to design the best software architecture solutions, as well as to coordinate the implementation, integration and testing. Through a unique coursework program you will learn to document the results of your research and how to provide long-term maintenance. Software engineering is behind much of the everyday technology we take for granted - from our ipads, computer software and mobile phones through to digital televisions, computer games and online banking.
You may develop software for digital forensics analysis to help fight crime, or work in defence and combat cyber attacks. You could design wearable health management devices or write the software that powers robotically assisted surgery. Or you might create sophisticated apps that support waste minimisation processes.
Why study with us?
- Hands-on practical experience: build vital professional networks and hands-on industry experience with 12 weeks of professional practice throughout your degree.
- Diversify your skills and knowledge: choose 4 elective courses from areas such as business, product/industrial design or entrepreneurship or take the opportunity to study a semester abroad.
- Real-world insights: connect with industry through projects, guest lecturers, and mentoring.
- Internationally recognised engineering graduates: the University of Newcastle is one of only three Australian member institutions of the Global Engineering Education Exchange Program (Global e3).
- Ranked 2 in Australia by our undergraduate Engineering students for teaching quality. * Student Experience Survey 2019 and 2020
- Ranked 1 in NSW by our undergraduate Engineering students for overall graduate satisfaction. ** Course Experience Questionnaire 2020-2021
STEM scholarships available for study in 2023
Top 200
?
in the world for Engineering and Technology
No. 1
?
in NSW for learning resources
12 weeks
of professional practice
90.1% employed
?
full-time within four months of graduating
What you will study
During your degree, you will have the opportunity to develop your software engineering skills by working on real world projects with industry clients. This problem-based learning approach will give you the high-level project management skills necessary to succeed as a software engineer, while also exposing you to the wide range of industries and applications in which your skills are in demand.
Learn critical technical and software engineering skills in:
- database management systems
- enterprise software architectures
- formal languages and automata
- programming languages and paradigms
- software architecture and quality management
- software development
Connect with industry through guest lectures and interdisciplinary projects solving real world problems with software engineering solutions. Gain invaluable practical experience through your industry placement.
Become job-ready through our professional practice courses. You'll learn to tackle ‘wicked problems’ and develop essential workplace skills in finance, project management, sustainability, communication and entrepreneurism.
Diversify your skills and engineering degree with an elective pathway, a cluster of courses which can be used to:
- deepen your technical competence in your engineering field
- broaden your expertise in another area of engineering
- learn skills in areas outside engineering, such as business or maths
- study overseas at one of our many partner institutions.
View our Scholarships
Career
Career opportunities
Software engineers play a vital role in a wide range of industries, as well as in government and commerce. They may work in:
- Mining and manufacturing
- Banking and finance
- Defence and security
- Aerospace
- Power generation and distribution
- Computer games and other entertainment-related industries
Average starting salaries for our engineers are great – more than $70,000 per annum. *
Software engineering is flexible and diverse. You may prefer hands-on fieldwork, design and development, or a leadership role managing people and projects. Typical positions include:
- Internet and web engineer
- Telecommunications engineer
- Software development manager
- Control systems engineer
- Applications software developer
Remarkably, engineering is the most commonly held degree among the highest performing Fortune 500 CEOs – the CEOs of companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Tesla Motors are all engineers.
* Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-2021
Professional recognition
Professional recognition through Engineers Australia and the Washington Accord qualifies you as a professional engineer. You can work in places such as:
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Japan
- Korea
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Russia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- USA
This degree is also accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
Practical experience
All University of Newcastle engineering students have the opportunity to complete 12 weeks of industrial experience during their degree. This can be completed in one block or as shorter placements of no less than two weeks. Through your work placement you’ll build important professional networks and put your learning into practice.
Experience
RoboCup Competition
Each year our NUBots team program soccer playing robots to compete in RoboCup, a global competition aimed at advancing artificial intelligence and robotics.
Art of Problem Solving Exhibition
Engineers use everyday problems as their canvas for creative inventions that will help change the world. The Art of Problem Solving showcases some of our most exciting engineering and computing innovations.
Study with us
Hear from our students
Listen to our students talk about their degree and life at the University of Newcastle.
Application info
Applying for Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle
Ok, great, let's go!
Apply to study this degree through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
You can select up to five preferences in your UAC application, so have a look around and select some back-up options. Put the degree you are most interested in first.
Apply to study in Australia
Both students and education agents can submit applications online. This is our preferred way of application. You can save your application after you have started, and come back to it later.
Let's just check you are eligible
Pick your situation from the list below for more information.
If you are an international student, read the information below before completing an application.
Recently completed secondary education, either at high school, TAFE or with another VET provider? If so, you will generally be considered for entry based on your Selection Rank (SR). Some degrees may also have extra requirements such as auditions or interviews. Additional requirements can be found on the relevant degree page.
Choose what you are most interested in and then research some back up options with lower Selection Ranks (SR) to put as your later choices. A good tip is to look at degrees that may have similar first year subjects. This will help you reduce your overall study time if you want to apply to transfer to your degree of choice after the first year.
We also recommend choosing one of our free pathway programs as a backup option as your fifth preference on your UAC application. Selection Ranks (SR) requirements for our degrees do change from year to year so only use the Selection Rank (SR) as a guide.
You should start planning your way into uni from Year 10 onwards. Think about:
- Using our study areas to narrow down study options based on what you are interested in
- Come and speak to us at events like Open Day, Schools Visit Day and campus tours
- Check the Assumed Knowledge and Recommended Studies of the degrees you are interested in
- If you are a high performer you can get a head start by completing some uni subjects while still at school
- Sign up to our mailing list for regular updates
- Have a look at adjustment points and other entry schemes that may give you an extra boost
- Decide on some back up options like Open Foundation and other entry pathways if you don't get the required marks
- See our Application FAQs .
- Have questions? Ask a student. We know you must have heaps of questions about university life – what’s needed to get into your degree, where to go for support, what on-campus accommodation is available and of course, where to find the best coffee. Jump on our website to chat to one of our Student Ambassadors.
Secondary results don’t have a use-by date. Even if you completed high school 20 years ago, these results may be used to apply to the University of Newcastle. You can use your ATAR or equivalent (UAI, TER etc) to apply irrespective of when you completed Year 12.
It can be complicated to calculate your Selection Rank (SR) based on high school results before the introduction of the ATAR in 2009. Contact us at 1300 275 866 and let us do the calculating for you.
If you don’t think you will meet the Selection Rank (SR) for admission there are other options to get in depending on your situation:
Open Foundation
- Complete this program full-time (in a single semester) or part-time (up to 2 years) to get guaranteed entry to over 40 degrees or to receive a new University Selection Rank.
Yapug
- Complete this program full-time (in two semesters) or part-time (up to 2 years) to gain entry into an undergraduate degree at the University of Newcastle.
Diplomas
- Complete a diploma either full-time or part-time to get entry into one of our related Bachelor degrees.
Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Admission Scheme
- Get entry help by identifying you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
Leaders, Athletes and Performers
- Our Leaders, Athletes and Performers aims to support exceptional athletes, performers, artists and leaders with proven experience get up to four adjustment points added to your Selection Rank
Special Tertiary Admissions Test
- Complete this test for a mark for entry into some of our degrees.
For advice on these options please contact us by calling 1300 275 866.
When reviewing admission eligibility, we take into account vocational education and training. Many educational providers offer Certificate III, IV and Diploma Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) awards. Some also offer Advanced Diploma and Associate Degrees.
We can convert assessable qualifications into selection ranks. This helps to ensure fairness and transparency. Selection ranks from different individual qualifications are not combined or added together to form a rank.
The highest of the two numbers will be the one used to assess your eligibility for admission.
The tables below provides information on how to assess your selection rank based on your AQF qualification.
TAFE Guaranteed Entry
Many of our students come to us after completing TAFE studies.
Completed an accredited Certificate IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma ? You can gain entry into many of our undergraduate programs.
Complete Graded AQF Diploma or AQF Advanced Diploma
| Grade Point Average | Rank - AQF Diploma | Rank - AQF Advanced Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 95 | 96.95 |
| 6.25-6.49 | 93 | 95.25 |
| 6.00-6.24 | 90 | 93 |
| 5.75-5.99 | 88 | 91 |
| 5.50-5.74 | 86 | 89 |
| 5.25-5.49 | 83 | 86 |
| 5.00-5.24 | 81 | 83 |
| 4.75-4.99 | 78 | 80 |
| 4.00-4.74 | 75 | 76 |
Complete and Incomplete Ungraded AQF Diploma or AQF Advanced Diploma
| Rank - AQF Advanced Diploma | Rank - AQF Diploma |
|---|---|
| 76 | 75 |
Complete Graded AQF Certificate III or AQF Certificate IV
Please note: Certificate III qualifications and below are not accepted for the Bachelor of Nursing program.
| Grade Point Average | Rank - AQF Certificate III | Rank - AQF Certificate IV |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 78 | 90 |
| 6.25-6.49 | 78 | 88 |
| 6.00-6.24 | 77 | 86 |
| 5.75-5.99 | 76 | 84 |
| 5.50-5.74 | 75 | 82 |
| 5.25-5.49 | 73 | 80 |
| 5.00-5.24 | 71 | 78 |
| 4.75-4.99 | 69 | 75 |
| 4.00-4.74 | 67 | 73 |
Complete Ungraded AQF Certificate III and AQF Certificate IV
| Rank - AQF Certificate III | Rank - AQF Certificate IV |
|---|---|
| 67 | 73 |
Note: Incomplete VET studies must be AQF Diploma level or above and more than 0.2 of a full time student (FTE) to be considered for admission.
Contact our Enquiry Centre on 1300 275 866 to discuss your qualifications and grades. Our team are happy to advise you on your options.
Your previous qualifications may also make you eligible for credit to your degree. This will cut down on your study time. You can apply for credit before you start. See our credit page for more information.
If you don’t think you will meet the requirements for admission there are other options to get in depending on your situation:
- Open Foundation
Complete this program full-time (in a single semester) or part-time (up to 2 years) to get guaranteed entry to over 40+ degrees or to receive a new University Selection Rank. - Yapug Complete this program full-time (in a single year) or part-time (up to 2 years) to gain entry into an undergraduate degree at the University of Newcastle.
- Diplomas Complete a diploma either full-time or part-time to gain entry into a related Bachelor's degree
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Scheme
Get entry help by identifying you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. - Educational Access Scheme
Get up to four points if you have experienced educational or other disadvantage. - Leaders, Athletes and Performers
Our Leaders, Athletes and Performers aims to support exceptional athletes, performers, artists and leaders with proven experience get up to four adjustment points added to your Selection Rank. - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Complete this test for a mark for entry into some of our degrees.
Completed higher education or partial higher education studies? Your grade point average (GPA) can be converted to a selection rank to be used for admission purposes.
For fairness and transparency, all assessable qualifications are converted to a selection rank. The selection rank from this qualification is not added to your ATAR. The highest of the two numbers will be the one used to assess your eligibility for admission.
If you have completed a degree and want to move onto postgraduate study please see our Postgraduate website.
Bachelor degree studies
| Min GPA (>0.5FTE*) | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| 6.5+ | 97.30 |
| 6 | 93.40 |
| 5 | 86.30 |
| 4 | 77.65 |
| 3 | 67.25 |
*Your GPA can only be calculated if you have completed at least 20 units of study. A full-time study (FTE) load is usually 80 units per year.
Completed pathway (also known as enabling or tertiary preparation) programs
| Overall Grade Average | Selection Rank |
|---|---|
| >97 | 99.55 |
| 80 | 84 |
| 70 | 77 |
| 60 | 70 |
| 50 | 65 |
Want to transfer across to another degree? Visit our Internal Transfers page for current students for more information.
If you have completed or are soon to complete an Enabling Pathways program (Open Foundation or Yapug) you can apply for most degrees. Please visit the Your Next Move website for more information.
If you want to transfer or complete a tertiary preparation program at another university you will need to apply through UAC. Please contact our Enquiry Centre 1300 275 866 for information and advice.
If you think you may be eligible for credit please visit our credit section.
If you have secondary qualifications from overseas, there are some that are assessed as the equivalent to an Australian Year 12 qualification. Note that equivalence of qualifications alone does not guarantee entry into programs. For fairness and transparency, overseas qualifications will be converted to a selection rank.
For advice on your options please contact us by calling 1300 275 866 or visit AskUON.
If you haven’t completed any formal secondary, VET or higher education studies we offer a range of options to get you on the pathway to your dream degree. Our recommended pathways are:
Pathway programs (Open Foundation and Yapug)
The University of Newcastle is the largest provider of pathway programs in Australia. If you haven’t studied for a while, or your high school results weren’t what you expected, you can start at university with one of our pathway programs.
Our pathway programs offer guaranteed entry to over 40+ University of Newcastle degrees. When you complete this program your Grade Point Average can be converted to a selection rank.
The programs on offer are:
- Open Foundation
Completing our Open Foundation pathway program will award you a new rank to apply to uni. Finish Open Foundation in just a single semester or take your time - up to 2 years. Flexible study supports you to learn at your own pace. - Yapug
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student you could complete our one year Yapug pathway program. - New Diplomas
Complete a diploma either full-time or part-time to get entry into one of our related Bachelor's degree.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is an aptitude test, organised through the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). It assesses a range of competencies considered important for successful tertiary study. If you are over 18 and not a current Year 12 student, results from the test can be used for entry into some (but not all) University of Newcastle degrees. Make sure you look into which degrees accept STAT for entry.
If your qualification is not listed and you are unsure whether you can use it to gain entry please contact us on 1300 275 866 or AskUON.
Non-Award Admission
If you want to do one or two subjects at the University of Newcastle but not a full degree you can apply for non-award admission. You may want to do this for preliminary work for a higher degree, professional requirements or because of an interest in the area.
Find out more and apply by visiting Non-Award Admission.
Cross-Institutional Study
Currently at another university and want to do one or more subjects at the University of Newcastle for credit? You can apply for Cross-Institutional Study.
Find out more and apply by visiting Cross-Institutional Study.
If you have more than one of the qualifications listed above they may all count towards your application.
We are always happy to provide advice and discuss your circumstances so please contact us by calling 1300 275 866.
Senior secondary school qualification
Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools. To check if your qualification is recognised for direct entry into the University of Newcastle, please refer to the entry requirements below.
Applicants who do not speak English as a first language must demonstrate that they meet the University's English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy.
The Australian Government operates a student visa program that enables people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to undertake study in Australia. A person who wants to undertake a course of study under the student visa programme must obtain a student visa before they can commence a course of study in Australia. A successful applicant must be both a genuine temporary entrant and a genuine student.
An applicant who is a genuine temporary entrant will have circumstances that support a genuine intention to temporarily enter and remain in Australia, notwithstanding the potential for this intention to change over time to an intention to utilise lawful means to remain in Australia for an extended period of time or permanently. All Australian education providers must have strategies and arrangements in place to ensure that all students and prospective students meet the requirements with Direction 69 as a condition of admission to the institution.
When your application for admission is received, the University of Newcastle will assess this against university entrance requirements including: minimum age, English and academic entry requirements. To comply with Australian law your application will also be assessed to check that you are genuinely seeking temporary entry to Australia to study. You may be asked to provide the University of Newcastle with evidence addressing Ministerial Direction 69 as part of finalising your admission. If the University forms the opinion that you are not a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) it may refuse to assess your application, withdraw an offer of a place, or cancel your confirmation of enrolment.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection in Australia will also assess each application for a student visa (subclass 500) against the applicant’s intention to stay temporarily in Australia as a genuine student. The criteria for this assessment are outlined in Ministerial Direction 69. Applicants that don’t satisfy the criteria under Direction 69 will not be granted a student visa.
For more information, please refer to the following areas of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website:
Other things to consider
Make sure you double check the special entry requirements, assumed knowledge or recommended studies for the degree:
Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Admission information for Australian students and residents is available online here. Admission information for international students can be found here. During the admission process, adjustment factors may be applied to your Selection Rank. Please visit our website to see if you are eligible.
All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy here.
HSC Mathematics (Band 5 or above) or equivalent. Study of one science-related subject would also be an advantage (Physics or Chemistry preferred).
Applicants who have achieved less than Mathematics Band 5 may be admitted to the program but may need to complete additional study to successfully complete the requirements of the program.
Applicants who have completed HSC Mathematics General 2 may be admitted to the program but can expect to undertake additional studies to successfully complete the requirements of the program.
HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Study of one science-related subject would also be an advantage (Physics or Chemistry preferred).
Industrial Experience is a compulsory requirement of the program. It includes 4 weeks undertaken as part of your in program WIL experience (SENG4001A and SENG4001B), and an additional 8 weeks (totalling 12 weeks). Students are encouraged to obtain and to report on a substantial block of this experience at one time, but several shorter periods, of not less than 2 weeks duration, will be accepted. Further information on industrial experience is available here.
You can look at NUPrep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.
You should also think about degree add-ons like combined options or a Diploma in Languages. If you would like to learn an additional language alongside your main bachelor degree, then this program is for you. Languages offered include: Australian Sign Language (Auslan), Chinese, French, German and Japanese.
Our position as one of the most highly ranked engineering faculties in Australia is recognised through our associate membership of the Group of Eight.
One of only three Australian member institutions of the Global Engineering Education Exchange Program.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.